AO Smith Power Vent Water Heaters

Review of the AO Smith power vent water
heaters from Vertex and ProMax
series, including high efficiency and low NOx models.

AO Smith manufacturer offers over twenty
tank-type, power vent gas water heaters that utilize the metal tank
with the
capacities from 40 to 75 gallons, and divided in two sizes: short and
tall. All the
models
are coming from two groups: ultra-efficient Vertex
and ProMax, both powered by natural
and propane gas.

Vertex

Vertex
is the only super efficient model from all AO Smith power
vent water
heaters that is capable of providing a thermal
efficiency of over 90%.

Vertex is equipped with the 50-gallon tank and can
deliver over 92
gallons of hot water in one hour and water flow of 3 gallons
per minute, continuously.

The environment-friendly and top-fired gas burner helps the
water heater in reducing the emission of NOx gases and together with
the spiral heat exchanger increases the efficiency which saves the
energy and money.

The advanced electronics allows better and precise control of
the water temperature and makes the troubleshooting easier.

ProMax

ProMax is the widest group of all power vent gas water heaters
whose energy factor is in the
range from 0.65 to over 0.7, making many of them Energy Star compliant
(EF has to be higher than 0.67). ProMax models are available in 40, 50
and 75-gallon sizes and are grouped in three categories:

ProMax
Power Vent

ProMax
Power Vent Higher EF are high efficiency water heaters
that are design to maximize the efficiency and performance. As the
Energy
Star approved, ProMax water heaters save money and time, while
protecting the
environment with the low NOx gas combustion.

The main features include the DynaClean II
system and its
specially designed dip tube for the optimized water heating and
protection
against the sediment build-up
inside the metal tank.

The most applied pilot
light has been replaced by the hot
surface ignitor, which is not only more reliable feature but saves more
energy.

The metal tank is protected with the Blue Diamond
glass
coating and factory installed anode
rod.

Power vent design brings the great versatility as its vent
pipes can
be
installed horizontally through the outside wall and vertically through
the roof. Such an enhanced flexibility brings you more options
during the installation especially with the use of the 3-position
rotatable blower outlet. The pipe can use various materials:
PVC, ABS or PP and can run up to 180 feet, making them perfect even in
homes with
the limited space.

The advanced gas
control valve increases the accuracy in
temperature control and makes diagnostic easier. The protected
sensor and air intake snorkel enhance the safety since the combined
system prevents the
accidental ignition of the flammable vapors.

Models
---
Specs

GPVL 40

GPVT 40

GPVL 50

GPVT 50

GPVX
50L

GPVX
75L

Capacity (Gal)

40

40

50

50

50

75

Gas Input
(BTUs)

40,000

50,000

40,000

50,000

62,000

72,000

FHR
(GPH)

73

90

90

96

110

155

Energy Factor
EF

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.70

0.68

Recovery rate
(GPH)

44.7

55.9

44.7

55.9

69.3

80.4

Max. vent length
(ft)

180'

180'

180'

180'

125'

125'

Weight
(Lb

174

176

198

192

212

277

ProMax
Ultra-Low NOx Power Vent

AO Smith power vent water heaters from Ultra-low
series
utilize the
advanced
burner system
that combines the radiant heat and access air to increase the energy
efficiency to 0.68, while providing the gas
combustion with reduced amount of green-house gases.

The burner system
uses the high quality materials and is more efficient and
durable
than standard type.

The
Ultra low NOx water heaters are equipped with the Coregard
anode rod
and DynaCleandip tube for
protection against corrosion and sediment
build-up. Ultra low models utilize
the FVIR system with the flame arrestor.

Models
---
Specs

GPNH 40

GPNH 50

Capacity (Gal)

40

50

Gas Input
(BTUs)

42,000

42,000

FHR
(GPH)

69

81

Energy Factor
EF

0.68

0.68

Recovery rate
(GPH)

42.6

42.6

Max. vent length
(ft)

120'

120'

Weight
(Lb

170

207

ProMax SL

AO
Smith power vent water heaters that are coming from the ProMax SL
series are found in two sizes; 40- and 50-gallon, both designed for use
in residential homes. Both models utilize the FVIR feature that
protects
the unit and the environment from accidental ignition of the flammable
vapors.

ProMax SL water heaters are equipped with several top AO Smith
features such as the intelli-vent gas control valve that uses the hot
surface ignitor, advanced electronics for the
accurate temperature control and diagnostics.

All
the units from this group are FVIR compliant and the system includes
the sealed combustion chamber, flame arrestor and flammable vapor
sensor which shuts down the gas control valve and burner.

Models
---
Specifications

GPVT-40L

GPVT-50L

GPVX-50L

GPS-75L

Capacity (Gal)

40

50

50

75

Gas Input
(BTUs)

50,000

50,000

62,500

80,000

FHR
(GPH)

80

83

114

N/A

Energy Factor
EF

0.65

0.65

0.65

N/A

Recovery rate
(GPH)

53

53

66

86

Max. vent length
(ft)

160'

160'

120'

100'

Weight
(Lb

166

186

186

245

All the models that comply with the Energy Star
requirements, such as the High EF and Ultra low NOx series, provide
more energy and money savings than the SL series, which doesn't comply.
The above models are factory built to use natural gas, while propane
models
have the same specifications and warranty of 6 years.

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